Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity in Theology and Religious Studies is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 1 YEAR.

Master of Divinity offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Science

Programme Outcomes
After completion of this programme you will:

• have the ability to articulate your own practical theological ecclesiology;
• be able to describe the role of the church in society;
• be able to do congregational analyses in different contexts and situations;
• have an understanding of theoretical insights regarding church history and church polity, systematic ecclesiology and symbolism, homiletics and liturgy, Christian spirituality and the identity of a Christian leader;
• have developed a number of ministry and communications skills with regard to preaching, pastorate, community development and missionary leadership;
• have pastoral care and crisis ministry skills; and
• be able to implement an ecosystemic ministry within a pastoral policy of preventing marital and family problems.

Assessment and Examination

The assessment of the seven modules consists of flexible assessment (formative assessment) and formal examinations (summative assessment) that take place at the end of each module.

Programme Structure

• The first semester starts in the middle of January and runs for 21 weeks. The second semester runs for 15 weeks.
• The different subthemes under the main themes are presented by means of a block approach and the integration of various theological disciplines.
• For the purpose of this programme, a week starts on a Tuesday and ends on a Monday in order to include the weekend.
• In May-June all the candidates go on a compulsory combined ecumenical tour of approximately two weeks.

Programme Content
The three main themes with their different subthemes are set out below:

• Pathos aspects
  • Church in society (contextuality): The role of the church in society within different contexts and ethical questions.
• Logos aspects
  • Church - history, systematic ecclesiology, Bible and worship (church identity): The nature and functions of the church; historical connections; church confessions and communication within the context of worship and liturgy.
• Ethos aspects
• Discipleship, spirituality and ministry skills (ministry practice): The connection between Christian spirituality and leadership aimed at developing congregational spirituality within various forms of ministry. Faith maturity and faith formation: The development of ministry and pastoral skills with a view to pastoral care, solace, prevention and enrichment during various life crises and problems in personal relations.

The eight module contents under the main themes are set out below. The credits are indicated in brackets.

Module 1: Introduction

(credits = 20)

Christian leadership and edification of congregations: Leadership styles and edification of congregations

Practical theological ecclesiology: Introduction to practical theological interpretation.

Spirituality week: Christian spirituality and calling of the minister/Christian leader.

Research methodology: Basic research skills

Pathos Aspects

Module 2: Church in Society 1 (Pathos)

(credits = 15)

Church in Africa: The issue of intercultural and interreligious communication.

Church, society and market: The issue of poverty, unemployment, criminality, gang violence, street children.

Ecumenics: Contemporary problems and developments.

Ministry of reconciliation and justice: The theological nature of reconciliation and forgiveness.

The church and public life: Moral decision-making and public policy in the private and public spheres.

 

Module 3: Church in Society 2 (Pathos)

(credits = 15)

Children’s and youth culture: Tendencies in youth research and theological understanding of youth problems.

Congregational studies and congregational analysis in African contexts: Synoptic context analysis of church and society.

Gender, culture and the Bible in the life of the church: Investigation of the mutual relationship between gender and diverse cultural contexts.

Logos Aspects

Module 4: Church in the Bible, history and tradition 1

(credits = 15)

Church polity and church governance: Theological foundations; methodology; principles and understanding of being a church and church governance.

Figures from church history and ministry today: Integrated knowledge of important figures from church history and the history of theology.

Remembrance, history and involvement with the past: A critical discussion of the importance of remembrance as access to the past.

Pedagogics of the Bible: Hermeneutical impact of Biblical pedagogics in congregational context.

Module 5: Church in the Bible, history and tradition 2

(credits =15)

Apologetics: Theology in conversation with science, culture and views of life.

Symbolism: Confessions and confessional writings.

Systematic ecclesiology: The doctrine of the church.

Ethos Aspects

Module 6: Discipleship and Ministry Skills 1

(credits = 20)

Homiletics: Preaching as mode of communication. Theory and practice.

Liturgics: The theological nature and understanding of worship and the question of communication in a secularised society. Various ways and models of worship.

Module 7: Discipleship, Spirituality and Ministry Skills 2

(credits = 20)

Children’s ministry: Trends in youth research and theological understanding of youth issues.

Pastoral care for the sick and hospital care: Hospital supervision

Preventative pastoral care: Marriage pastoral care and enrichment; family pastoral care and enrichment.

Youth care and moral formation: The theological nature of youth work and moral education

Module 8: Research component

(credits = 60)

• You must complete a research assignment of 50 pages during the programme in order to develop research skills.
• The due date for this research assignment is the first day of the fourth term.
• All MDiv assignments are examined internally by the supervisor, as well as by an external examiner.
• Research may be carried out in any of the following six disciplines: Ecclesiology, Missiology, New Testament, Old Testament, Practical Theology and Systematic Theology.

You must enrol for the following core modules at the beginning of the academic year:

Compulsory Modules

(credits = 180)

Church and Society 871(15), 872(15)

Discipleship and Ministry Skills 871(20), 872(20)

Introduction 871(20)

Ministry and the Bible, history and tradition 871(15), 872(15)

Research Study 873(60)